North Korea sentences U.S. student to hard labor;Washington condemns punishment

Gerald · 03-16-16, 08:11 PM

Quote:

North Korea's supreme court sentenced American student Otto Warmbier, who was arrested while visiting the country, to 15 years of hard labor on Wednesday for crimes against the state, a punishment Washington condemned as politically motivated.

The U.S. State Department called the sentence "unduly harsh" and White House spokesman Josh Earnest said it was "increasingly clear" that North Korea sought to use U.S. citizens as pawns to pursue a political agenda.

Warmbier, a 21-year-old University of Virginia student, was detained in January for trying to steal an item bearing a propaganda slogan from his hotel in Pyongyang, North Korean media said previously.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-no...-idUSKCN0WI0BN

A harsh penalty for such a young man, perhaps he may appeal.

Note: 2016-03-18

GoldenRivet · 03-17-16, 12:34 AM

I don't currently - and may never - understand why these Liberal artsy-fartsy types feel it necessary to visit North Korea. Especially if they have poor impulse control like this kid does. I mean seriously, try to steal a political sign in a country that routinely executes people for mundane minor offenses? How stupid can you really be?

I have very little sympathy for him

do i think the punishment is harsh? of course i do

are they just trying to make an example out of a westerner? of course they are

would he have gotten into this much trouble anywhere else in the world? save for maybe Iran and one or two other places... probably not

would it have been more reasonable to imprison him for 30 or 60 days and then ban him from the country or something? certainly, yes

but still, he had to know the risks of going to NK, he surely knew that the country was a hell hole... like i said, no sympahty "bra" take your licks and leave it up to the diplomats to yank your arse out of the fire you created.

if they can

otherwise, see you in 15 years if you dont die of malnutrition before then

Reece · 03-17-16, 02:37 AM

It should be illegal to go there, is it actually marked as a tourist spot?

If so what airline would actually go there?

d@rk51d3 · 03-17-16, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reece

It should be illegal to go there, is it actually marked as a tourist spot?

If so what airline would actually go there?

Probably fly to China and walk in.

Oberon · 03-17-16, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reece

It should be illegal to go there, is it actually marked as a tourist spot?

If so what airline would actually go there?

Like this:

http://www.m1key.me/photography/road_to_north_korea/

http://www.m1key.me/photography/oste...ary_pyongyang/

Reece · 03-17-16, 06:31 AM

What a horrible place to visit let alone to live, and trying to escape to China is definitely a no no!!

I do feel sorry for the citizens there.

Commander Wallace · 03-17-16, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

I don't currently - and may never - understand why these Liberal artsy-fartsy types feel it necessary to visit North Korea. Especially if they have poor impulse control like this kid does. I mean seriously, try to steal a political sign in a country that routinely executes people for mundane minor offenses? How stupid can you really be?

I have very little sympathy for him

do i think the punishment is harsh? of course i do

are they just trying to make an example out of a westerner? of course they are

would he have gotten into this much trouble anywhere else in the world? save for maybe Iran and one or two other places... probably not

would it have been more reasonable to imprison him for 30 or 60 days and then ban him from the country or something? certainly, yes

but still, he had to know the risks of going to NK, he surely knew that the country was a hell hole... like i said, no sympahty "bra" take your licks and leave it up to the diplomats to yank your arse out of the fire you created.

if they can

otherwise, see you in 15 years if you dont die of malnutrition before then

I don't think I can say it any better. The State Dept. has said although travel to North Korea isn't banned, They highly recommend that people of U.S citizenry do not travel there. What do people then do ? They travel to the DPRK which flies in the face of the State Dept. warnings.

https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...l-warning.html

I think the punishment is harsh but also very predictable. At some point in time, one has to be responsible for the decisions they make .

Betonov · 03-17-16, 07:29 AM

He'll be there for a few months and then traded for Fat Kims US imported lunch.
But China should do it. If the State dept. says it's on their own risk, the American taxpayer should not bear the cost. But we can't leave him there for a dumb stunt. A murderer ok, let him rot, but a simple moron ?? He suffered more than enough just trough the trial.

Quite a few Slovenes travel to N. Korea, a group per year me thinks and everyoen gets home safely

Maybe there's a larger risk if you're from the US becasue you're a potential propaganda target.

U505995 · 03-17-16, 07:58 AM

I wonder what kind of hard labor he'll be doing? Baking cake for Kim Jung Un perhaps?

Jimbuna · 03-17-16, 08:07 AM

Most stupid of the young man and will probably be used as payment for a shipment of food or medical aid in a few months time.

Bera · 03-17-16, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea Demon U-48

I wonder what kind of hard labor he'll be doing? Baking cake for Kim Jung Un perhaps?

Unfortunately, no. He will probably die doing soviet-style hard labour, like mining or cutting logs.

Kudos to Bill Clinton. He went to North Corea and came back with those two american girls that were convicted some years ago. I think he deserved a prize or a medal for this.

03-17-16, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

I don't currently - and may never - understand why these Liberal artsy-fartsy types feel it necessary to visit North Korea. Especially if they have poor impulse control like this kid does. I mean seriously, try to steal a political sign in a country that routinely executes people for mundane minor offenses? How stupid can you really be?

I have very little sympathy for him

do i think the punishment is harsh? of course i do

are they just trying to make an example out of a westerner? of course they are

would he have gotten into this much trouble anywhere else in the world? save for maybe Iran and one or two other places... probably not

would it have been more reasonable to imprison him for 30 or 60 days and then ban him from the country or something? certainly, yes

but still, he had to know the risks of going to NK, he surely knew that the country was a hell hole... like i said, no sympahty "bra" take your licks and leave it up to the diplomats to yank your arse out of the fire you created.

if they can

otherwise, see you in 15 years if you dont die of malnutrition before then

Really?
He deserves 15 years of hard labor in a country that hates him and ultimately will ruin his life one way or another, because he is an idiot who underestimated what could happen and stole a stupid banner?

GoldenRivet · 03-17-16, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nippelspanner

Really?
He deserves 15 years of hard labor in a country that hates him and ultimately will ruin his life one way or another, because he is an idiot who underestimated what could happen and stole a stupid banner?

Well, with due respect, I present you with a challenge, it's very simple:

1. Quote here where I used the term "he deserves it"

2. Quote here where I said I think the punishment is harsh

3. Quote here where I said that it is now up to diplomats to fix it

Then re-evaluate your comment

03-17-16, 02:25 PM

You said you have "very little sympathy" for him.
I interpreted it as in "well deserved idiot!".
My bad.

GoldenRivet · 03-17-16, 02:39 PM

I have little sympathy for the guy. This much is true. I really don't.

The guy went to a foreign country known for its harsh hand at criminal justice and he showed his ass. That's his fault. Nobody else's. Does he "deserve" 15 years hard labor? Like I said, no.

Was he an idiot who has created an international diplomatic mess? Yup!

he deserves punishment, not 15 years, but theft of any kind, no matter how cute and jovial the circumstances may be perceived by the perpetrator, is still theft.

He acted without any thought as to the consequences. This is his fault. Nobody else's.

03-17-16, 12:34 AM	#2
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	I don't currently - and may never - understand why these Liberal artsy-fartsy types feel it necessary to visit North Korea. Especially if they have poor impulse control like this kid does. I mean seriously, try to steal a political sign in a country that routinely executes people for mundane minor offenses? How stupid can you really be? I have very little sympathy for him do i think the punishment is harsh? of course i do are they just trying to make an example out of a westerner? of course they are would he have gotten into this much trouble anywhere else in the world? save for maybe Iran and one or two other places... probably not would it have been more reasonable to imprison him for 30 or 60 days and then ban him from the country or something? certainly, yes but still, he had to know the risks of going to NK, he surely knew that the country was a hell hole... like i said, no sympahty "bra" take your licks and leave it up to the diplomats to yank your arse out of the fire you created. if they can otherwise, see you in 15 years if you dont die of malnutrition before then __________________

03-17-16, 02:37 AM	#3
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,738 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	It should be illegal to go there, is it actually marked as a tourist spot? If so what airline would actually go there? __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

03-17-16, 06:31 AM	#6
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,738 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	What a horrible place to visit let alone to live, and trying to escape to China is definitely a no no!! I do feel sorry for the citizens there. __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

03-17-16, 08:07 AM	#10
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,712 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Most stupid of the young man and will probably be used as payment for a shipment of food or medical aid in a few months time. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

03-17-16, 02:39 PM	#15
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	I have little sympathy for the guy. This much is true. I really don't. The guy went to a foreign country known for its harsh hand at criminal justice and he showed his ass. That's his fault. Nobody else's. Does he "deserve" 15 years hard labor? Like I said, no. Was he an idiot who has created an international diplomatic mess? Yup! he deserves punishment, not 15 years, but theft of any kind, no matter how cute and jovial the circumstances may be perceived by the perpetrator, is still theft. He acted without any thought as to the consequences. This is his fault. Nobody else's. __________________

03-17-16, 07:29 AM	#8
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	He'll be there for a few months and then traded for Fat Kims US imported lunch. But China should do it. If the State dept. says it's on their own risk, the American taxpayer should not bear the cost. But we can't leave him there for a dumb stunt. A murderer ok, let him rot, but a simple moron ?? He suffered more than enough just trough the trial. Quite a few Slovenes travel to N. Korea, a group per year me thinks and everyoen gets home safely Maybe there's a larger risk if you're from the US becasue you're a potential propaganda target.

03-17-16, 07:58 AM	#9
U505995 Planesman Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wisconsin, the best state in the union. Posts: 191 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	I wonder what kind of hard labor he'll be doing? Baking cake for Kim Jung Un perhaps?

03-17-16, 02:25 PM	#14
Nippelspanner Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	You said you have "very little sympathy" for him. I interpreted it as in "well deserved idiot!". My bad.